Rams Clinch! Seahawks Loss to Steelers Secures L.A. Playoff Berth
The Los Angeles Rams are officially playoff-bound.
Coming into Sunday, the Rams needed two things to happen in order for them to clinch a playoff berth before their season finale next week.
The first was to take care of their own business and win over the New York Giants.
They accomplished that - albeit barely - surviving MetLife Stadium 26-25 after some costly New York mistakes saved the day, and a huge three-touchdown day from Kyren Williams.
The second thing they needed was a loss from their NFC West Division rival Seattle Seahawks, who faced a tough task of their own, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming to town fighting for their own playoff lives.
And after a tight game in front of the 12th Man at Lumen Field, the Rams got their wish, with Pittsburgh winning 30-23 over Seattle.
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The Seahawk's loss is the culmination of a miracle run for the Rams, who began the year 3-6 and looked dead in the water leaving Lambeau Field in Week.
But coming out of the bye week, Matthew Stafford was healed from an injury that forced him to miss the loss to the Packers, and L.A. was able to eek by Seattle 17-16 in Week 11.
The next week, Kyren Williams returned to action after a four-week absence of his own.
And with their star QB and running back in the lineup, the Rams were able to rattle off five wins in their last six games, with the only loss coming in an overtime shootout with the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Over that time, Stafford threw for 1,705 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Williams ran for 688 yards and scored eight total touchdowns.
Now, the Rams will head into Week 18 against the 49ers with an opportunity to either improve their playoff standing with a win or let their star players rest.
Either way, the Rams are in, and there is not a team in the NFL that wants to play them right now.
